Pubdate: Tue, 26 Sep 2006 Source: Ozaukee County News Graphic (WI) Contact: http://www.conleypublishing.com/forms/gmtoday/contact2.htm Copyright: 2006 Conley Group Website: http://www.gmtoday.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4217 Author: Ed Zagorski, GM Today Staff DRUG TASK FORCE STAYS BUSY AT HOMESTEAD County Unit Has Made 5 Arrests In 14 Months Lt. Dean Roberts of the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department says its the "pendulum effect" that brought the Ozaukee County Anti-Drug Task Force to Homestead High School. "We go where the tips lead us," said Roberts, the commander of the Task Force. "We are not focusing on Homestead, but if we get information and it's credible we will follow up on it no matter what school it brings us to." And follow the information they did. Since last July, the Ozaukee County Anti-Drug Task Force has made five buys and subsequently arrested the same number of juveniles for selling drugs at Homestead High School. Two of the cases were filed last month in Ozaukee County Circuit Court. "Our goal is to go after the drug dealers," Roberts said. "If something like a joint is found, the Task Force is probably not going to get involved, but the school will work with its liaison officer who will work in tandem with the local police department. They will keep us informed of what is happening at the school. It's a pendulum. I can't say where information is going to pop up or where we are needed because that changes. We get tips pretty much on a daily basis." Mequon Police Capt. Dan Buntrock said most of his police department's drug arrests have come from tips by the school staff itself. "Sometimes we will get information from citizens or parents of friends," he said. "Some of the information we receive often leads us to an arrest outside of the school atmosphere. Other times, it's on school grounds." Buntrock said the Mequon Police Department has recorded seven drug arrests at Homestead since last May. "According to our records, there hasn't been a large increase in arrests, but that doesn't mean there isn't an increase in drug activity because the rise in drug use is sadly reflected in the number of overdoses which our department and other agencies in the county have seen," Buntrock said. In July 2005, the Task Force arrested a 17-year-old boy with 2.8 grams of cocaine; in December 2005, they arrested another 17-year-old boy with 3.5 grams of cocaine. Both arrests occurred at Homestead High School's parking lot. According to reports from the Task Force, in January 2006, a 17-year-old boy was arrested with 3.2 grams of cocaine. In the same month, another 17-year-old boy was caught selling 13.8 grams of cocaine. In May 2006, a 17-year-old boy was arrested for selling antidepressants and sedative prescription drugs to police. All five of the individuals arrested by the Task Force have charges pending with the Ozaukee County District Attorney's Office. During the same period, Mequon police arrested a 14-year-old Mequon girl on May 5, 2005, who was in possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance on school property and possession of tobacco by a minor. A day later, Mequon police arrested a 15-year-old Milwaukee girl for carrying a concealed weapon (knife), possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance on school grounds. On May 12, 2005, a 15-year-old Mequon boy was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance on school grounds. One day after, a 15-year-old Mequon boy was caught selling prescription drugs on school grounds. Police said he was making his seventh sale of Adderall when he was caught. Later, police arrested two 16-year-old Mequon boys for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. While one of the boys was caught with 5 1/2 grams of marijuana, the other was found in possession of 2 grams of the same illicit drug. In March 2006, Mequon officers were called to the high school for a 17-year-old Milwaukee boy, who smelled of marijuana and was found in possession of a joint. A month later, Mequon officers arrested a 17-year-old Milwaukee boy for possession with intent to deliver and illegal possession of prescription drugs. According to police records, the boy told officers he thought he was selling Tylenol 3, but, instead, he was selling seroquel, an anti-psychotic medicine; and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant. Homestead High School Principal Mark Roherty said he and his staff work closely with the district's liaison officer. "We communicate when we have information and work with the police department," Roherty said. "If something is relayed to me, we certainly follow up on it. We don't have our heads in the sand on this. We want to stay tuned and remain vigilant on tips and any information that is shared with us." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek